to direct us; of purveyors, to provide victuals for us; of house-wrights
to build our lodgings; and had indeed able and strong bodies carrying
all our necessaries: yea, many times when some of our company fainted
with sickness of weariness, two Cimaroons would carry him with ease
between them, two miles together, and at other times, when need was,
they would shew themselves no less valiant than industrious, and of good
judgment.

From this town, at our first entrance in the evening, on Saturday (22nd
February), our Captain despatched a Cimaroon with a token and certain
order to the Master: who had, these three weeks, kept good watch against
the enemy, and shifted in the woods for fresh victual, for the relief
and recovery of our men left aboard.

As soon as this messenger was come to the shore, calling to our ship,
as bringing some news, he was quickly fet[ched] aboard by those which
longed to hear of our Captain's speeding: but when he showed the
toothpike of gold, which he said our Captain had sent for a token to
ELLIS HIXOM, with charge to meet him at such a river though the Master
knew well the Captain's toothpike: yet by reason of his admonition and
caveat [warning] given him at parting, he (though he bewrayed no sign
of distrusting the Cimaroon) yet stood as amazed, lest something had
befallen our Captain otherwise than well. The Cimaroon perceiving this,
told him, that it was night when he was sent away, so that our Captain
could not send any letter, but yet with the point of his knife, he wrote
something upon the toothpike, "which," he said, "should be sufficient to
gain credit to the messenger."

Thereupon, the Master looked upon it, and saw written, _By me, FRANCIS
DRAKE_: wherefore he believed, and according to the message, prepared